What is an exit interview? (Plus tips for answering questions)

If you're leaving your current job, many employers host an exit interview to help understand why you're leaving and how they can improve the company. ​These questions differ from those asked in a job interview​​​. Your current workplace wants honest employee feedback about your time working with the company while still maintaining a level of respect. 

We can help you decide what to say in an exit interview, explain the best practices for conducting it, and describe some of the best exit interview questions and answers. We'll cover these topics: 

• What are exit interviews? 
• Why are exit interviews important? 
• Exit interview questions 
• Best practices for exit interviews 
• Conclusion 
• FAQs 

What are exit interviews?  

You may wonder, "What is an exit interview?" The purpose of exit interviews is for departing employees to provide companies with honest feedback and opinions about the workplace. These questions cover many topics, such as your job, workplace culture, work-life balance, and employee satisfaction. Employee input during exit interviews helps employers improve the workplace environment for current and future employees.  

Here's a list of common exit interview questions that interviewers ask a departing employee to help improve employee retention: 

• Why did you choose to leave the workplace? 
• What prompted you to look for a new job?  
• How was your experience working here? 
• Did you receive frequent or constructive feedback on your performance? 
• Did you receive enough training for your role in the workplace? 
• Did you have access to the tools and resources necessary for your work?  
• What changes would you recommend for improving the workplace?  
• What would make this a better place to work?  
• Under what circumstances would you plan on returning?  

Why are exit interviews important?  

Your exit interview answers may be pivotal for your employer, primarily if you've worked with them for a long time. Here's a list of benefits that an exit interview may provide to employers and the workplace: 

Improves the company 

Whether you've worked at a company for a couple of weeks or several years, you may still be able to provide valuable insights. No one knows the work environment better than the employees. Your employer can use your feedback to improve the workplace culture and reduce employee turnover. They gather feedback to evaluate aspects like:  

• your job satisfaction 
• whether you had a productive work environment 
• whether you were satisfied with the company culture 
• your experience working with management and colleagues  

Encourages the employee to stay 

If you've worked at a company for several years, your employer may conduct an exit interview to have one last opportunity to ask you to stay. They may try to find out if you're dissatisfied with your salary or whether you've experienced bad management. They may even look for potential improvements to encourage you to come back. 

Improves workplace culture 

It's no secret that workplaces can become toxic. This might be due to different personalities clashing or challenging management styles. Companies conduct exit interviews to find ways to improve the workplace culture and employee morale. This may mean training managers on better management styles.  

Improves management and leadership 

Employers expect to have an honest conversation about the management team to improve the work environment. As one of the exiting employees, it's likely that you've had several encounters with management and have ideas on how to improve productivity in the workplace. Your feedback can help management identify the areas they need to work on.  

Helps in finding the best candidate for the position 

When you resign from your role, your employer has to find your replacement. Your exit interview can give them a better understanding of what and who to look for when filling the vacancy. Your constructive feedback can help your employer understand the demands of your former position.  

Exit interview questions  

If you're leaving your current workplace, your employer may have invited you to an exit interview. You may find it helpful to go through some sample answers to help you in your exit interview. Learning how to answer exit interview questions can help you maintain good relationships with your previous employer. Here's a list of some specific examples of how you can answer exit interview questions successfully: 

Why did you decide to leave the company? 

I've enjoyed working here and have learned a lot throughout my employment. I feel I've accomplished all I can in this role and need something different. I've gained invaluable experience for the future, and now is the right time for me to use the skills I developed to take on new challenges.  

Can you describe your overall experience working here? 

My overall experience working here has been positive. This company has believed in me and my skills. The training programs have been valuable and helped me tackle new challenges. I'm also thankful to my seniors and colleagues for their constant support and guidance. It has been an excellent workplace for both personal and professional growth.  

What did you enjoy most about your role and the company culture? 

One of the positive aspects of the company is the constant strive for excellence. While working here, I was exposed to real-world problems. Through this, I could appreciate the value of my work and its impact on my immediate surroundings. I also got access to development programmes to support my learning. The company culture also promoted work-life balance to boost employee morale.  

Did you feel the company supported your career goals and professional development during your time here? 

I was excited to improve my knowledge and skill set when I joined here. The company has given me ample learning opportunities. I've had access to several tools and resources to help me with my career growth. My manager also helped me publish my first research paper. There has been significant career development during my tenure here, and I'm thankful for that. I also had a great working relationship with my colleagues and seniors.  

Would you recommend this company to other job seekers? 

It would depend on the open positions and the professional goals of the candidate. I'd recommend this company to friends or family if the position matched their expectations. It'd also help if the position had a competitive salary and benefits package.  

What were your criteria for choosing a new employer? 

I wanted to choose an employer who would understand my need to advance my skill set. I hope to use the knowledge and skills I gained here to work on challenging problems.  

Was there a time you felt proud of your role at the workplace? 

Yes, and I still do. I believe this company has helped me to grow, and I couldn't have done it without my role here. My proudest moment was when we received testimonials of how our product had had a positive impact on so many people. Being a part of a team that worked towards a noble cause has humbled me.  

Would you consider staying with us? 

I've worked here for as long as I needed to. This company has provided me with valuable skills and learning opportunities. I've enjoyed my time here, but I feel that my new job better aligns with my career goals. I may consider returning at a later time if the new role matches my career goals and offers suitable remuneration.  

Best practices for exit interviews  

When giving an exit interview, there are some best practices to follow. This can make the experience more pleasant. These practices may differ for each workplace. It's still important to follow them regardless of the circumstances of your resignation. 

Here's a list of best practices to follow if you're going to participate in an exit interview: 

• Be confident in all your answers and stick to the facts.  
• Avoid answering in a confrontational or argumentative manner. 
• Avoid talking ill or sharing strong opinions about other members or superiors.  
• Be honest in all your responses, but remain diplomatic.  
• Answer only questions that you're comfortable with.  
• Give your employer constructive feedback that they can reasonably act upon. 
• Share your opinions about employee retention or a new hire for your role. 

Conclusion  

Many exit interviews provide employers with better direction on how they can enhance the company's culture. This feedback can ensure that the company's other employees have better workplace experiences. If you're leaving your current job or thinking of resigning from your position, it's important to schedule an exit interview. Give your employer specific answers and honest feedback while still showing your respect for your peers and the company. You may be able to help them take steps to improve the work environment for future employees.  

FAQs  

Here are some frequently asked questions about exit interviews: 

1. Is participating in an exit interview mandatory? 
   ⁠It's not mandatory to participate in an exit interview unless the terms of employment in your contract state otherwise. It's a good idea to participate in a structured exit interview. You'll be able to provide your employer with valuable feedback to help improve the company. It may also give you closure, depending on the circumstances that led to you leaving the job. 
2. Can I decline to answer certain questions in the exit interview? 
   ⁠Yes. You don't have to answer any questions in the exit interview that make you uncomfortable. You also don't have to provide exit interview answers to any questions you believe won't provide valuable insight. In this situation, simply tell your interviewer that you're unsure of the answer to the question and would like to move on to the next question.  
3. How long does an exit interview usually take? 
   ⁠An exit interview can take ​15 minutes to one hour. The duration depends on how long you've worked at the company, how detailed your answers are, and​​​ how many questions the interviewer plans to ask you. 
4. What happens after the exit interview? 
   ⁠A manager reviews your answers and considers all the insights you've shared. After completing the exit interview, they pass the information to your employer. They then work on making improvements and adjustments to the workplace according to the feedback you've provided. 
5. Will my answers be shared with my manager and the management?  
   ⁠The HR manager taking your interview would usually provide a summarised version of your answers to the team manager. This would help them work on areas for improvement based on your feedback. Share details about your work, peers, company's culture, and working conditions, but be diplomatic in all your answers. Avoid personal criticisms or talking about other team members.